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February 16, 2021

Kids Love This Crazy Cool Milk Rainbow Science Experiment

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Who doesn’t love the colors of the rainbow? But when you can combine those colors and create something full of science and learning? It’s a total win for all involved!

No matter whether it’s a rainy day or you’re just looking for something fun and engaging for your child to do, this milk rainbow science experiment is going to be an absolute blast. And the best part? It’s one STEM activity that is so simple to make and create! 

Bring the rainbow inside your house with this simple science experiment! 

rag being dipped in liquid and food coloring with text Rainbow science experiment

Milk Rainbow Science Experiment

This STEAM experiment is so simple to set up you probably already have all the supplies you need in your kitchen right now!

supplies needed for milk rainbow STEM

Materials:

  • White plate or shallow bowl
  • Food coloring
  • Small white washcloth
  • Hand soap
  • Small glass of milk

dipping rag into mixture to make rainbow

 

Instructions:

  1. Place the white plate or shallow bowl on a flat surface.
  2. Pour a small amount of milk onto the plate or bowl to line the bottom.
  3. Begin to place drops of different colors of food coloring all over the surface of the milk on the plate. Leave space between the dots for a better outcome.
  4. Fold a small white washcloth in half lengthwise, and then roll it up into a long cylindrical shape.
  5. Dip the bottom of the rolled washcloth into some hand soap.
  6. Place the washcloth soap side down into the center of the milk covered plate.
  7. Watch as the colors begin to magically swirl and move, radiating out from the washcloth in the middle of the plate. Observe how the colors are sucked up into the bottom of the white washcloth, and change its color.

close up of rag showing the rainbow forming

How Does the Milk Rainbow Happen?

While the kids might think it’s pure magic, it’s really all about a little bit of science and gravity. The milk is the main base that keeps the food coloring in smaller sections. Then, when you put the soapy end of the washcloth into the milk mixture, it starts soaking up that milk and the food coloring follows. 

This not only creates a “growing rainbow” look right up the washcloth but it creates an illusion of magic as well. 

white rag showing rainbow forming

How can you tie in this milk rain science experiment to learn more about the weather?

Learning about rainbows and how they form is always fun. Once this experiment is over you can always head out the door and talk about the various weather patterns or clouds up in the sky. It’s so much fun to combine real-world activity with creativity! 

 

rag dipped in food coloring and milk

 

Don’t let the magic of science stop here!

Join our SUPER SCIENCE virtual camp for kids!

Looking for a hands-on, fun-filled, virtual science camp for your kids this summer?

Then you will love our SUPER SCIENCE virtual camp!

It’s a 5 day online summer camp full of hands on STEAM activities.

Here’s what’s included:

  • 5 science themed days of experiment
  • 4 hands-on science experiments each day
  • 22 page printable experiment journal
  • photos and videos to guide kids through each experiment
  • self-paced activities you can do whenever works best for you

The SUPER SCIENCE online camp is designed for kids ages 8-12 to be able to complete with an adult nearby to supervise. Younger children would best enjoy this virtual camp with adult assistance.

Find out more here —–>> SUPER SCIENCE CAMP

The most fun science experiments for kids ever!

We have TONS of science experiments your kids will love on our Super Cool Science Experiments for Kids page! 

This is such a great activity for kids of all ages!

You can check out even more science experiments like STEM for Kids: Build a Paddle Boat or even Lemon Battery STEM Project!

About Megan Sheakoski

Megan is the creator of Coffee Cups and Crayons, a blog full of simple fun and learning. She believes that kids’ activities don’t have to be complicated to be fun and that learning is better with play.

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Comments

  1. Jayden says

    April 27, 2022 at 3:34 pm

    THIS IS SOO COOL YOU MUST KEEP UP THIS WEB SITE!! I LOVE IT I LOVE RAINBOWS!!!

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      May 4, 2022 at 1:26 pm

      Thanks Jayden!

      Reply

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